Things don't always work out the way you planned

This time last year, my son had completed his applications to all three service academies. He was like most of the applicants: an A student with numerous AP and honors courses, lettered in two varsity sports, lead in the school musical, president of the largest service club on campus, treasurer of NHS, numerous service hours, etc... You get the picture. We live in a very competitive area of Texas per this forum and he even received an nomination from one of our senators. All that being said, when March rolled around, he received his rejection email. It was hard for all of us, but especially our son. He had been accepted to every college to which he applied, but wasn't excited about any of them. After a month passed, he spent the night with cadets at Texas A&M. He enjoyed it but still wasn't excited. He had ever intention of reapplying to the academies during his freshmen year. Fast forward...he loves A&M and has NO desire to leave. He feels like he was meant to go to college there. He's a member of the Corps and is thriving. I'm writing to remind anyone reading this that sometimes things work out the way they are supposed to. If your child doesn't get in to a service academy, it's not the end of the world. In fact, it may be the start of the best thing that ever happened to him/her. Best of luck to all of you!

This time last year, my son had completed his applications to all three service academies. He was like most of the applicants: an A student with numerous AP and honors courses, lettered in two varsity sports, lead in the school musical, president of the largest service club on campus, treasurer of NHS, numerous service hours, etc... You get the picture. We live in a very competitive area of Texas per this forum and he even received an nomination from one of our senators. All that being said, when March rolled around, he received his rejection email. It was hard for all of us, but especially our son. He had been accepted to every college to which he applied, but wasn't excited about any of them. After a month passed, he spent the night with cadets at Texas A&M. He enjoyed it but still wasn't excited. He had ever intention of reapplying to the academies during his freshmen year. Fast forward...he loves A&M and has NO desire to leave. He feels like he was meant to go to college there. He's a member of the Corps and is thriving. I'm writing to remind anyone reading this that sometimes things work out the way they are supposed to. If your child doesn't get in to a service academy, it's not the end of the world. In fact, it may be the start of the best thing that ever happened to him/her. Best of luck to all of you!

DS received his TWE around this time 2 years ago. He was really sad and disappointed. Plan B was Norwich University, NROTC. He ended up deciding to major in Civil Engineering so he decided to leave NROTC this summer for AROTC because he believes he will have more opportunities to branch in engineering. He has grown so much through the last 2 years, it is amazing to me. He is now contracted and on a full scholarship for the rest of college. Loves where he is and what he is doing. He has worked very hard to get where he is. Good luck to everyone who will now need to move on to plan B. I feel like my DS is exactly where he is meant to be.

Above was my post from several years ago. My DS is about to graduate from Norwich this spring and he is exactly where he was meant to be. So happy for him and so proud. He has loved Norwich! Go Army Beat Navy..wait ..my youngest is a plebe at USNA.. Go Navy Go Army!! That's better. Good luck to all. it is a process.

When did your son submit his entire application? (Besides the DoDMERB & nominations)

Click to expand...

He submitted his USNA application in August and went to his Candidate Weekend visit in Sept. He completed the Westpoint/Air Force applications in Sept. He heard back very quick that he was 3Q-no waiver needed. He applied for nominations from all sources. Once he received a nomination from one of our senators in early Dec, he was notified by our representative that his interview was cancelled. You only get one nomination in our area.

Well said, @teammom. One of the best lines I’ve learned on this forum is “bloom wherever you’re planted.” A hard concept for disappointed young people to understand, but so true.

Click to expand...

Bloom where you're planted has been my motto for 25 years. We've moved six times and my kids have heard me preach this a million times. When our son called to tell us he didn't want to reapply, his quote was "I've decided to bloom where I'm planted."

DS received his TWE around this time 2 years ago. He was really sad and disappointed. Plan B was Norwich University, NROTC. He ended up deciding to major in Civil Engineering so he decided to leave NROTC this summer for AROTC because he believes he will have more opportunities to branch in engineering. He has grown so much through the last 2 years, it is amazing to me. He is now contracted and on a full scholarship for the rest of college. Loves where he is and what he is doing. He has worked very hard to get where he is. Good luck to everyone who will now need to move on to plan B. I feel like my DS is exactly where he is meant to be.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I love your post. Nothing better than watching our kids find their way. Best of luck to both of your kiddos.

This is why, at the end of my sticky on "reapplying," I remind folks that they may well end up loving the school/situation they're in -- and to embrace that. Really glad that it worked out so well for your DS!

Well said, @teammom. One of the best lines I’ve learned on this forum is “bloom wherever you’re planted.” A hard concept for disappointed young people to understand, but so true.

Click to expand...

Bloom where you're planted has been my motto for 25 years. We've moved six times and my kids have heard me preach this a million times. When our son called to tell us he didn't want to reapply, his quote was "I've decided to bloom where I'm planted."

Click to expand...

I love this too...as a military family that has a few moves under their belt, my oldest has also heard this many many times from me. During his BGO interview when asked what he would do if not chosen for a spot, he said he would bloom where he is planted! Although he would love to attend a SA if he does get the TWE, he will be disappointed but will do great at whatever school he ultimately attends.

Last week, I was at the funeral of the father of some very close Jewish friends. The gentleman was in his 90's and died suddenly of a massive stroke.

In the eulogy, his son spoke wistfully of the the plans his father had for the weeks and months ahead. He said he was reminded of an admonition he often got from his Grandmother, a refugee from Czarist Russia: "A man makes plans and God only laughs."

This time last year, my son had completed his applications to all three service academies. He was like most of the applicants: an A student with numerous AP and honors courses, lettered in two varsity sports, lead in the school musical, president of the largest service club on campus, treasurer of NHS, numerous service hours, etc... You get the picture. We live in a very competitive area of Texas per this forum and he even received an nomination from one of our senators. All that being said, when March rolled around, he received his rejection email. It was hard for all of us, but especially our son. He had been accepted to every college to which he applied, but wasn't excited about any of them. After a month passed, he spent the night with cadets at Texas A&M. He enjoyed it but still wasn't excited. He had ever intention of reapplying to the academies during his freshmen year. Fast forward...he loves A&M and has NO desire to leave. He feels like he was meant to go to college there. He's a member of the Corps and is thriving. I'm writing to remind anyone reading this that sometimes things work out the way they are supposed to. If your child doesn't get in to a service academy, it's not the end of the world. In fact, it may be the start of the best thing that ever happened to him/her. Best of luck to all of you!

Click to expand...

WOW, just wow!!!! I would like to piggy back your post. My son got his no thanks email about the same time last year. All he wanted was USNA with a Marine flight option( wants to fly helicopters). He was devastated. He was accepted to a ton of school and even got athletic scholarships to play football. In the end he begrudgingly accepted an offer to play football for Wabash College. Since he has been there he has thrived and become a great Wabash Man. The networking that Wabash has provided is unbelievable. He has been called (out of the blue) by several high ranking Marine Corps officers to discuss how he will achieve his goal of flying. He has met personally with a former director of the FBI about life after the Corp (fingers crossed). This was done by the college!!!!! He has maintained good grades while playing football and will get a conference championship ring as a freshman. He will finish his paperwork for the PLC program soon and expects to be in Quantico this summer for his first summer of marine officer training. He has reapplied to the academy and is hope-full he will get in this time but is quite satisfied with where he is. Even told me an appointment would be a tough decision for him. Almost everyone he has talked to has told him he will be a great officer some day and not getting USNA isn’t a bad thing. Congrats to you and your son. USNA closing the door only makes you see the others that have been open for you the whole time.

Thank you all for posting these. As DD is in the waiting process (3Q with Sen nom) she being very cautious with her emotions since she knows there is still a high probability she won’t get an appointment based on statistics. She has a solid B plan and lucky for us, there is now a nonstop flight from our small city to the bigger city of her B plan. I was thinking of taking a long weekend with her up to plan B school ( she has already been but I have not) to scout out all the incredible opportunities she would have there should that be her place to bloom. Your posts above are very reassuring that although I know DD will be incredibly disappointed if she gets rejected from SA, other kids in her shoes have thrived beyond what parents expected at plan B schools.

Thank you all for posting these. As DD is in the waiting process (3Q with Sen nom) she being very cautious with her emotions since she knows there is still a high probability she won’t get an appointment based on statistics. She has a solid B plan and lucky for us, there is now a nonstop flight from our small city to the bigger city of her B plan. I was thinking of taking a long weekend with her up to plan B school ( she has already been but I have not) to scout out all the incredible opportunities she would have there should that be her place to bloom. Your posts above are very reassuring that although I know DD will be incredibly disappointed if she gets rejected from SA, other kids in her shoes have thrived beyond what parents expected at plan B schools.

I am also interested in this answer, as I believed USNA did not notify candidates if they are 3Q. There is always something new to learn.

@P_N Even if your DD does not get the offer this year, if USNA is still her goal as her path to becoming a Navy or Marine Officer, then she buckles down and re-applies, as many do. That’s why USNA Admissions has a whole section for college re-applicants. If her Plan B includes an NROTC unit, a visit to the B school and to the unit would add to her knowledge and confidence that she has chosen well. With NROTC, she gains a year of officer training, an additional nom source, and a path to a commission with like-minded midshipmen.

Thank you all for posting these. As DD is in the waiting process (3Q with Sen nom) she being very cautious with her emotions since she knows there is still a high probability she won’t get an appointment based on statistics. She has a solid B plan and lucky for us, there is now a nonstop flight from our small city to the bigger city of her B plan. I was thinking of taking a long weekend with her up to plan B school ( she has already been but I have not) to scout out all the incredible opportunities she would have there should that be her place to bloom. Your posts above are very reassuring that although I know DD will be incredibly disappointed if she gets rejected from SA, other kids in her shoes have thrived beyond what parents expected at plan B schools.

Click to expand...

Just curious how you know she is 3Q'd?

Click to expand...

Her Regional BGO told her of 3Q. Or it might have been her local BGO. I’m not sure as She leads this path. Im just along for the ride. So all communication has been directly with her.

Thank you all for posting these. As DD is in the waiting process (3Q with Sen nom) she being very cautious with her emotions since she knows there is still a high probability she won’t get an appointment based on statistics. .

Click to expand...

@P_N just curious do you and DD share this account? sometimes you post as the applicant, and sometimes as the parent.

Thank you all for posting these. As DD is in the waiting process (3Q with Sen nom) she being very cautious with her emotions since she knows there is still a high probability she won’t get an appointment based on statistics. .

Click to expand...

@P_N just curious do you and DD share this account? sometimes you post as the applicant, and sometimes as the parent.

Click to expand...

Yes. DD just asked me to take over yesterday for good. Like most candidates, she is too busy to be lurking around on here. I on the other hand, have become more interested now that things are moving along positively. It’s hard to be optimistic when the chances of appointment are so low. But this forum is helpful to me on seeing how other parents are managing it all.